Can vacuumizing and sealing machine



Dec. 20, 1932. TROYER AL 1,891,851

CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet l q ATTORNEY Dec. 20, 1932. TROYER AL 1,891,851

cm VACUUMIZING AND SEALING momma Filed July 24, 1928 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Pfit/L E, PEHRSON INVENTORS ATTORN EY Dec. 20, 1932. N, TRQYE'R A I 1,891,851

CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 M4 /05 I /06 m7 INVENT NELSON 77m YEf'Z Dec. 20, 1.932. TROYER ETAL 1,891,851

CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEALING'MACHINE Filed July 24, 1928 6 Sheets-Shee t' 4 NELSON 7;?0 YER P1904 E Pffl/PSO/V INVENTORS ATTORNEY Dec. 20, 1932. N. TROYER E'T'AL 1,891,851

CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 NELSON TROYER PHUL PEA/RfiON |NVENTOR5 ATTORNEY 1932- N. TROYER ET AL 1,891,851-

CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 E OR NELILVOIEJIT T120 y Y P401. E. PEARSON Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STA ES PATENT- OFFICE NELSON TRoYnn ANn PAUL n. PEAB SQN, or SEATTLE,- wAsHINeroN, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T CONTINENTAL CAN COMPANY, INC.; on EW YORK, N. Y.,

ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK QAN VACUUMIZING AND SEALING MACHINE Application filed July 24,

character that is characterized, first, by the simplieityrnf its parts, their ccinpactnessof arrangement and efficiency in operation; second, by the absence of intermittently moving and reciprocating parts which are detri-- mental to efiiciency and high speed operation, and the use in their stead of continuous motion, rotating elements for delivering into and for extracting the cans from the vacuumizing chamberand for transferring the cans while in the chamber to and from the seamer; third, in the provision of a continuous motion, ro-

tating conveyer that encircles the seamingmechanism for conveying cans in the machine to and from the seamer and which seals the can receiving and discharge openings of the vacuum chamber; fourth, by the elimination to an appreciable extent of all stutfing boxes or packed connections by reason of the fact that practically all operating parts are confined within the vacuumizing chamber; and fifth, by-the provision of novel means associated with the valve for preventing leakage of air into the vacuumizing chamber.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an annular conveyer contained wholly within the vacuum chamber and encircling a multiplespindle sealing machine and which operates to convey the cans to and from the latter and which, in operation, rotates in adirection opposite to that of' the seamer so as to avoid crossing of the path of travel of the cans.

It is also an object of the invention to so construct the machine: that the rotary .conveyer operates to deliver the cans to the sealing mechanism at a pointremote from that at which they are received into and delivered from the vacuum chamber so. as to provide a long period of time for vacuumization and also a relatively long period for seaming.

1928.' Serial No. 295,013.

of can passages therethrough adapted to pass.

successively in, registration with can receiving and discharge openings in the chamber wall, with driven means operating in syn-- ,chronism with the valve movement to deliver cans from a conveyer, through the receiving opening into the valve passages, then to transfer the cans from the rotating valve at a point remote from the receiving opening to the seamer after they have been subjected to vacuumization, then to return the seamed cans back into the valve passages and finally to,

deliver them from the latter through the discharge opening.

Other objects of the invention reside in the various details of construction, the combination of parts and mode of operation, as is hereinafter described.

In accomplishing these and other objects ofthe invention, we have provided the im proved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. lis a front elevation of a. can vacuumizing and sealing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan, or top end view of the machine. 'Figure 3 is a vertical, sectional view of the same.- Y

Figure 4 is a horizontalsection, taken substantially on the line H inFigu're 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional detail of a part of the valve and inner and" outer sealing plates.

Figure 6 is a vertical, cross section taken substantially on the line 6-6 in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a part of the inner sealing plate, illustrating the oiling grooves.

Figure '8 is a perspective view of an outer sealing plate; a part being broken away to betterillustrate the oil feed channels- Fig. 9 isa diagrammatic plan view of the lgure 11 is a horizontal section, on the hue 1111 in Figure 3 of the adjusting nut and worm shaft.

Briefly stated, the present machine consists of an airtight chamber having a pipe connection with a source of vacuum, and provided at one side with openings through which the cans are received for vacuumizing and then, after being subjected to vacuumization and sealed, are discharged. Enclosed within the chamber is a seaming machine of the high speed, multiple unit type, wherein each unit rotates about its axis while revolving about an axis common to all units. Fitted revolubly within the chamber, coaxially about the seamer and rotating in a direction opposite to the seamer, is an annular conveyer which seals the chamber openings to prevent inflow of air and which is provided at regularly spaced intervals with can passages therethrough which pass in registration with chamber openings as the valve rotates. Transfer turrets are provided at each of the openings and also within the machine whereby cans delivered to the machine by a conveyer are advanced into' the ,valve passages as the latter pass the receiving opening, then, after being delivered by the valve into the chamber and vacuumized, are transferred from the valve to the seamer and then, after being sealed thereby, are-returned to the valve and finally delivered therefrom through the discharge opening of the chamber onto the conveyer. 7

Referring more in detail to the drawings The vacuum chamber, for convenience of manufacture and assembly, comprises a base housing 1 wherein most of the various driving gears are enclosed, a valve housing 2 which is flanged and securely bolted upon the base housing and which at one side has openings 3 and 4 provided, respectively, for the receiving into and discharge of cans from the chamber, and ahousing 5 which, 1ike-- wise, issecurely fixed upon the valve housing; these three housings together forming an upright, substantially cylindrical and airtight vacuumizing chamber.

Connected with the upper housing is a pipe 6 which may lead from any suitable source of vacuum and through which air is extracted from the chamber to maintain the desired de ee of vacuum therein.

' t the forward side of the machine, as shown in Figure 1 is a horizontally disposed frame structure 1 supported by brackets 8-8 bolted to flanges 9-9 cast integral with the base housing. At the opposite ends of this frame are cross shafts 10a and 11a on which sprocket wheels 10 and 11 are mountsupported by a horizontal plate 13 attached' to the frame supports, and the shaft 10a is adj ustably mounted so as to provide for taking up any slack that might occur the conveyer chain incident to use.

Along one side of the conveyer is a can guide flange 18, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4,

and at the opposite side is a rotatably driven worm shaft 19 whereby the cans delivered to the machine by the conveyer are spaced and timed properly with respect to their delivery to the radially extended fingers 20 of a feed.

turret 20. This turret is mounted at the upper end of a shaft 21 vertically supported in suitable bearings and rotatably driven in such manner as to deliver the cans through the receiving opening 3 into the can passages of the conveyer valve which will presentl be described. An arcuate guide flange 24, xed to the frame, cooperates with the turret in guiding the cans into the opening.

Fitted revolubly within the housing 2, is an annular valve 25 which serves to seal the vacuum chamber and also as a conveyer for carrying cans in the chamber to and from the seaming machine. This is provided with a downwardly projecting supporting flange 26 about its outer periphery, which, as shown in Fig. 6, fits snugly within an upwardly opening groove 27 formed in an inwardly projecting, annular shoulder 28 on the housing wall. The flange 26 rests upon a wear ring 29 in the groove and beneath the ring is an oil groove 30 from which oil may feed upwardly through small ports 31 in the ring 'to seal the joint and to lubricate the contact-.sur-

ceive the cans advanced by the turret 20 thereinto as they pass the receiving opening to carry them into the vacuumizing chamber.

As a'means for preventing air entering the vacuum chamber by direct passage through the passages 34 when they are in registration with the openings 3 and 4, a sealing plate 35 is fitted against the inner surface of the valve to close the inner ends of the passages as shown best in Figures 4, 5 and 6. This plate, in the present instance, extends through an arc of 180 degrees and equally at opposite sides of the openings 3 and 4 and is supported on a flange 37 that is bolted to and which projects inwardly from the lower edge of the housing 2. This sealing plate may be adj usted against the valve to prevent leakage of air between their surfaces by means of a plurality of adjusting bolts 38 fixed at their inner end in the plate at spaced intervals along its top and bottom edges,'and extended radially outward through holes 39 in the chamber wall andprovided at their outer ends with nuts 40 which may be tightened to draw the plate against the valve. Coiled springs 41 are disposed about the bolts to bear against the plate and chamber wall so as to urge the plate inwardly when the nuts are loosened'in making an adjustment.

To further insure an air-tight joint between the inner surface of the valve and plate 35, the latter is provided with horizontally extending oil grooves 42 located just above and below, the top and lower edges of the passages 34. These are connected by vertical grooves 44, as in Figure 7, and oil is delivered to these various grooves through a plurality of closely located ports 45 which lead from feed channels 46 bored vertically in the plate and whichv are connected at their upper ends by small tubes 47 with oil supply cups 48 mounted exteriorly of the casing, as shownbest in Figure 5. The provision of an oil film between the surfaces of valve and plate in this manner effects an oil seal that prevents any possible leakage of air between the surfaces.

' As a means of preventing leakage of air between the outer surface of the valve and housing wall there is provided, in addition to the oil seal bet-ween the wear ring 29 and flange 26, a packing strip or washer 50 fitted within an annular groove 51 about the upper edge of the valve. This wa sher is disposed between the valve and chamber wall and is held in place by an overlying ring 52. that is fixed within the housing. As shown in Figure 6, the lower edge of the washer is beveled so that tendency of air to be drawn into the chamber through this joint will force the beveled edge inwardly and tightly against the valve.

To prevent leakage of air past the valve at opposite sides of openings 3 and 4, outer sealing plates 52 are provided, as best shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Each of these is fitted slidably within a rectangular opening 53 in the'casing wall with its inner surface fitted snugly to the outer surface of the valve.

' Cross bars 57 are fixed by bolts 58 at their ends across the openings 53 and set screws 59 are threaded through the bars to bear centrally against the plates to hold them in close Also, bolts 59 are fixed in the opposite side edges of the plates. and extend through openings in the bars, with nuts 60 at their outer ends adapted to be tightened to draw the plates outwardly to cooperate with the set screws in getting a satisfactory adjustment. Flexible sheets of rubber 61 orthe like, overlap the outside edges of the plates 52 and edges of the casing about the openings 53 and these are held secure by overlying metal strips 66 and 67. These flexible strips permit adjustment of the sealing plates and at the same time preclude any air leakage through the joints.

' There are also provided in the inner sur-- faces of these sealing plates horizontal and vertical oil grooves 68 and 69 into which oil may be fed through small ports 70 leading from supply channels 71 bored in the plates.

At the top of the plates are feed ports 72 into which. oil may flow from bores? 3 that lead upwardly through the casing and into which oil cups 74 are threaded. Oil supplied to these surfaces effects an oil seal that precludes leakage of air.

' The seamer used with the present machine there will be no possible crossing of the path of travel of the cans. Briefly stated, the seamer comprises a central, tubular driving shaft7 8 supported at its lower end to revolve on anti-fricti n bearings 79 mounted in a base plate '80 xed within the base housing 1. The shaft 78, toward iislower end, carries a frame structure 81 that mounts the can sup-- porting pads 82 and, at its upper end, it carries the several seaming units, des'gnated generally at 83.

As the cans are delivered into the conveyer valve passages 34 by the action of the turret 20 they are carried by the valve into the vacuum chamber and each can is subjected to vacuumization as soon as the passage in which it is contained passes the edge of the inner sealing plate 35; this requiring movement of the valve through an arc of approximately 30 degrees. As each can reaches a position approximately 125 degrees from its point of entrance, it is advanced inwardly from the valve passage to the seamer for seal'ng; this I just w thin the valve and having radial fingers 86' which cooperate with a positioning turret 88 revolving with the seamer and with a fixed guide 89 to locate the cans on the supporting pads 82 of the seamer.

As soon as a can has been positioned on a supporting pad of the seamer, the pad is eleate to seam the can end to the ,body. The

seaming operation is completed after the can has traveled through an arc of approximately 270 degrees about the sealed can is then delivered back into the valve passage;'thi being effected by the-advancement of the can by an arm 88 of the turret 88 against the outwardly directed edge of a guide plate 90 which delivers the can sufliciently within itsvalve passage that it will then be advanced by the valve into engagement with a fixed guide plate 91 which pushes the can completely within its passage. A very desirable feature of the construction and operation just described is that the cans are carried. by the rotary conveyer within the vacuum chamber to a point remote from that at which they are received before they are delivered to the seamer. This provides for an extended period of time for vacuumizing and is a decided advantage over -machines in which the cans aredeliverel to the seamer directly orl entering thevacuum chamber. The construction and arrangement also. protides for a relatively 'longperiod for sealing as is apparent.

As the passages containing the sealed cans come in registration with the outlet or discharge opening 4, the cans are extracted by the action of the curved extractor fingers 92' of a turret 92 fixed on the upper end of a vertical, revolubly drivenshaft 93 and are delivered thereby onto the conveyer 12 where they are taken up and advanced out of the way of the fingers 92 by the arms 94' of a turret 94 on a vertical shaft 95 at the outside of the conveyer. The extractor fingers 92 of the extracto turret 92 swing through the valve pockets, or passages, 34 in the same general direction of movement as that of the valve but with slightly faster travel. Thus, in their inward swinging action they will enter back of the cans and in their outward swinging action will push the -c'ans against the deflecting surfaces 34a formed on the forward side walls of the pockets. Thus, the deflecting surfaces and fingers coact to deflect the cans outwardly from the valve. U

The means for driving the double seamer, valve, turrets, etc. is best shown in Figs. 3 and 9, wherein 100 designates a drive shaft that extends vertically and coaxially through the tubular shaft 78. At its upper end, it is supported in a bearing. sleeve 101, fixed in the upper end of easing 5 and, at its lower end, revolves in bearings 102 carried in the lower end of shaft 7 8. On the upper end of shaft 100 is a beveled gear 103 adapted to be drivenby a beveled pinion 104 keyed on a horizontal shaft 105 mounted in bearings the axis of the seamer, and

moving 106-107 in a housing 108that is fixed to the top of the vacuum chamber. This shaft 105 extends through a suitably packed box 109 and at its outer end is equipped with a belt pulley 110. A clutch 111 'is provided for throwing the pulley in or out of gear and this is under the control of a shift lever 112.

'At the lowerend of shaft 100 is a pinion 115 which drives a large gear 116 keyed on the-lower end of a short, vertical shaft 117 mounted in a bearing 118 in plate 80. On the upper end of shaft 117 is a small gear 119 which meshes with'and drives an intermedi-' ate gear 120 on a supporting shaft 121. Gear 120 meshes with a ring gear 122 that is bolted to the seamer frame 81 to. rotate the double seamer about its axis and incidentally to operate the seaming-rolls; the operation of the seamer being in the usual, well-known manner and is not herein described in detail. Gear 120 also meshes with and drives a gear 123 on the lower end of the vertical shaft 93 whereby the extractor turret 92 is rotated; this latter shaft extending from the chamber through a packed bearing 125, as shownin Figure 3, audit isthe means through which parts located exteriorly of the chamberare driven. g 5

Extended horizontally beneath the conveyer is a shaft 126 rotatable in bearings 127, shown in Figure 1. Keyed on this shaft is a spiral gear 128 meshing with a driven gear 129 keyed on shaft 93. Gear 128 drives a spiral gear 130 keyed on thelower end of.

.turret shaft 95 to rotate the turret 94. Also, keyed onthe horizontal shaft 126, arespiral gears 132 and 133; the former meshing with and driving a spiral gear 134 keyed on turret shaft 21 and the latter meshing with a gear 135 on the lower end of a vertical shaft 136 which,at. its upper'end. has beveled gear connection, as at 138 in Figure 1, for driving the cam timing worm 19. At the other end 7 of shaft 126' is a bevel gear 140 which meshes with and drives a bevel gear 141keyed on a cross shaft 142 mounted in frame 7 and on this latter shaft is a gear wheel 143, as shown in Figure 10, which drives a similar gear 144 keved on the conveyer drive shaft 11a.

Within the chamber, the .ring gear 122 meshes with and drives a gear 146 fixed on the lower end of a vertical shaft 147 as shown in Figure 3, and keyed on the shaft beneath gear 146, is a gear 148 which drives a gear 149 keyed on the lower end ofthe turret driving shaft 85; the shafts'147 and 85 being rotatablysupported in suitable bearings provided in the bed plate 80 and frame structure. Keyed on the turret shaft 85. toward its upper end, is a gear 150 which drives a ring gear 155 fixed to the under side of the valve 25 to rotate-the latter, and on the upper end It is to be understood that the various gears are so arranged and so proportioned that all moving parts operated thereby are properly synchronized in their movements so as to carry on the operation in the desired manner. In the several views the direction of rotation of each part is indicated by an arrow adjacent thereto and in Figure 9 the gears are shown substantially in their proper relation and proportion.

In Figures 3 and 11, we have illustrated means for adjusting the seamer units vertically for accommodating cans of various heights- This means consists of a nut 165 that is threaded onto the lower end of the shaft 78 and is rotatably fitted within an annular recess in the lower end of the frame in such manner as to support the shaft which, in turn, supports the seamer units. The nut is exteriorly threaded and a worm shaft 168 mounted horizontally in the frame meshes with it; the outer end of the shaft being provided with a squared head 169 to which a wrench may be applied to turn the worm as a means of rotating the nut to adjust the shaft 78 upwardly or downwardly, as is desired for cans of any certain height.

It will be mentioned here that the upper section. of the vacuum chamber is equipped -wit-h suitable inspection doors 170 which,

preferably, are hingedly attached to the casing and adapted to be held closed in an airtight manner. Also, cleanout and inspection openings are provided in the various sections of the casing which have suitable covers 171 adapted to be secured in closed positions in air-tight connect-ions.

It is also to be understood that a suitable oiling system is provided for lubricating the operating parts and that this maybe a pres-,

sure system which will keep all parts within the casing sufliciently lubricated at all times.

Assuming that the machine is so constructed, its operation is as follows: When the cans that are to be vacuumized are delivered to. the machine, they have their upper ends clinched on the bodies sufficiently secure to hold them against displacement when brought suddenly into the Vacuum chamber, but not so tight as to prevent satisfactory vacuumization. The cans are delivered to the machine on the conveyer belt 12 and are timed and spaced in their delivery to the turret 2O vacuumization as soon as their respective pas by the worm shaft 19. The turret 20 is so timed as to deliver a can into each passage 34 of the valve 25 as the passages successively come into registration with the opening 3'of the chamber and these cans are subjected to sages pass the inner sealing plate. The turrets 84 and 86 then cooperate in delivering the cans, after they have been carried through approximately ninety degrees of travel of the valve within the vacuum chamber, from the conveyer valve to the double seamer which tended'interval of travel of the cans within the vacuum chamber before being passed to the seamer a more effective vacuumization is possible, and furthermore, the ends may be clinched to the bodies, prior to delivery to the machine, securely enough that displacement incident to sudden delivery to the vacuum chamber is not possible.

. The arrangement of the seamer centrally of the chamber, with the conveyer operating about it and with the main drive shaft extended through the length of the seamer sup porting shaft 78, provides for compactness of arrangement that is not found in other machines for this purpose.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a can sealing mechanism, a casing, forming a vacuum chamber in which the sealirfg mechanism is located; said casing having an opening through which cans are conveyed, and an annular pocketed valve encircling the seal- 2. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a can sealing mechanism, a casing forming a vacuum chamber 1n WlllCh said sealing mechanism 1s 10- cated, said casing having an opening through which the cans are received, and ,a valve encircling the sealing mechanism and contained wholly within the casing for. sealing .the said opening and for conveying cansm' the vacuum chamber to and from the seaming mechanism.

3. In a' can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a can sealing mechanism, a casing forminga vacuum chamber in which said sealing mechanism is lo--' cated, said casing' having can receiving and discharge openings therein, a valve encir cling the sealing mechanism and closing said openings and operable to convey cans delivered thereto through the receiving open-.

ing to the sealing mechanism and for conyeying the sealed cans to the discharge openmg.

e. In acan vacuumizing and sealing ma chine, the combination of a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge mechanism, a casing forming a vacuum chamber in which said sealing mechanism is located, a conveyer encarcllng said sealing mechanism and continuously rotatmg for conveying cans in the vacuum chamber to and from the sealing mechanism and devices synchronized with the movement of the valve for transferring the cans between the conveyer and the sealing machine, and means for delivering the sealed cans tothe valve for de livery from the casin".

6. In a can'vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a vacuumizing chamber "having a can receiving opening, a

can sealing mechanism-within thechamber, and an annular valve encircling the sealing mechanism and having can receiving passages therethrough adapted to pass in registration with the chamber openings incident to operation of the valve and through which the cans-received are advanced in their passa e to and from the sealing mechanism.

In a can vacuumizin and sealing machine, the combination (ii a vacuumizing chamber having can receivi g and discharge openings therein, a can sealing mechanism contained within the chamber, a valve arranged to seal said openings and having can passages therethrough adapted to successively pass the said openings incident to rotation of the valve, means for feeding cans to, the said valve passages through the receiving openings for delivery into the vacuumizing chamber, means for advancing the vacuumized cans through the valve passages to the sealing mechanism and means for returning the sealed cans to the valve passages for delivery to the discharge opening of the cham ber.

8. In a can vacuumizing andsealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber having can receiving and discharge openings therein, a can sealing mechanismarranged within the chamber, an annular valve encircling'and sealing mechanism and sealing said chamber openings; said valve being provided with can passages therethrough adapted to pass in registration with said chamber openings, means for feeding cans into the valve passages through the receiving opening, means for advancing the cans after chamber having can receiving and discharge openings, a can sealing machine arranged therein, an annular conveyer enclrchng the sealing mechanism and adapted for convey-i ing thecans in the vacuumizing chamber to and from the seaming mechanism, saidconveyer having can guideways therethrough within which the cans are carried in their delivery to and from the sealing mechanism and means for transferring the'cans from thefconveyer to the sealing machine and means whereby the sealed cans are returned to the conveyer.

10. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving anddischarge openings, a can sealing mechanism arranged Within the chamber, an annular conveyer encircling the sealing mechanism for conveying cans in the vacuumizing chamber to and from the seaming mechanism and an extractor device exteriorly of the casing and synchronized with the valve movement for extracting the cans from the valve through the discharge openin 11. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings therein, a can sealing mechanism arranged within the chamber, a valve for sealing said openings provided with pasthe chamber while in communication with thechamber openings.

12. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination .of a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings, a can sealing mechanism arranged within the chamber, an annular valve for sealing said openings and provided with can passages adapted incident to operation of the valve to pass in registration with said chamber openings for receiving cans for delivery into and from the vacuumizing chamber and a sealing plate fitted against the inner face of the valve to close the passages while in communication with said openings. i

13. In a can vacuumizing and'sealing machine, the combination with a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings, and a seamer arranged within the chamber; of a valve arranged to seal said sages therethroughadapted to pass in regisopenings and provided with passages adapted to pass in registration at their outer ends with the chamber openings incident to operation of the valve for the reception and discharge of cans in their delivery to and from the machine, a'plate fitted to the valve to close the inner ends of the passages .While in communicationwith the chamber openings and means for maintaining a sealing film between the surfaces of the valve and plate.

14. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine. the combination with-a vacuumizing chamber having receiving and discharge openings therein, and a seamer arranged Within the chamber; of an annular, rotating valve arranged to seal said openings, and provided wtih can passages therethrough adapted to pass in registration with the chamber openings as the valve rotates for the reception and discharge of cans in their delivery to and from the vacuumizing chammeans for feeding cans to the valve passages for delivery mto the vacuum zing chamber o' i o as said passa es pass the recevm opening,

19. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, a vacuumizing chamber, a can sealber and seamer, and a sealing plate fitted to' the valve surface to close said passages while in communlcatlon w1th the chamber openings; said plate havmg Oll grooves in 1ts inner surface and having oil feed channels communicating therewith and means for supplying oil to said feed channels.

15. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination with a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings, and a seamer arranged within the chamber, of an annular valve rotatably fitted within the chamber and encircling the seamer and having can passages therethrough adapted to pass in registration with the chamber openings as the v. lve rotates, to receive cans for delivery to s id from the vacuumizing chamberand sea er, a plate fitted to the valve to seal the inner ends of said passages as they pass the chamber opemngs, sealing plates fitted to the valve surfaces at opposite sides of the said openings and means for maintaining an air sealing film between the surfaces'of the valve and plates.

16'. A device as in claim 15, wherein means is provided for adjusting the sealing .plates from and toward the valve surfaces.

17 A machine as in claim 15, wherein the air seals are provided about upper and lower edges of the valve, and at opposite sides of the chamber openings. J

, 18. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a vacuumizing chamber provided with can receiving and discharge openings, can sealing mechanism arranged within the chamber, an annular valve rotatably fitted within the chamber to seal said openings and having can passages therethrough adapted .to pass in registration with said chamber openings incident to rotation of the valve, means closing the inner ends of said passages while the latter are in communication with the chamber openings,

ing machine therein, and a continuously mov- 4 ing conveyer encircling the sealing mechanism and operable to convey the cans in the vacuumizing chamber to and from the sealing mechanism and whereby the cans are carried indirectly in their delivery to the seamer to provide for an extended interval for vacuumization and means for delivering the cans to the seamer in a direction opposite to movement of the valve.

20. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, a. vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings therein, a can sealing mechanism within the chamber, a valve for sealing said openings-and rotatable within the chamber about the sealing mechanism and having passages therethrough adapted topass in registration with said chamber openings, and means Within the vacuum chamber at a point remote fromv the recelving opening for advancing the cansthrough said passages to the sealing mechanism in a d1rection opposite to that of the conveyer.

21. Ina can vacuumiz'ing and sealing machine the combination of a can sealing mechanlsm. a casing forming a vacuum chamber in which said sealing mechanism is located, and a continuously moving convever encirclmg said sealing mechanism for conveying sald cans in the vacuum'chamber to and from the sealing mechanism. said casing having an opening through which the cans are received into the vacuum chamber. and devices disposed within the vacuum chamber r65} trans- 1 ferring the cans from the copveyer to the sealing mechanism in a direction opposite to.

that of the conveyer, said devices being dis posed at a point remote from the opening where the cans are received.

22. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine the combination of a plurality of can sealing units, means for bodily rotating said units about a central axis, a casing forming a vacuum chamber in which said sealing units are disposed for rotation, a conveyer enclrchng said sealing units and rotating in the opposite direction about said central axis for conveying the cans in the vacuum chamher to and from the sealing units.

23. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine the combination of a plurality of can. sealing umts, means for bodily rotating sa1 axis for conveying the cans in the vacuum chamber to and from the sealing units, said chamber having receiving and discharge openings adjacent each other, devices disposed at a point remote from the receiving opening for transferring the cans to the sealing unit, and devices for transferring the cans after they are sealed from the sealing units to the conveyer.

24. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, the combination of a plurality of can sealing units, means for bodily rotating said units about a 'central axis, a casing forming a vacuum chamber in which said sealing units are disposed for rotation; said casing having can recelving and discharge openings at one side thereof, a valve fitted Within the casing for sealing said openings and encircling the said sealing units and rotating in the opposite direction about the central axis for con- .veying cans to and from the sealing units,

and devices disposed at a point remote from the receiving opening for transferring the cans from the valve to the sealing units and other devices for transferring the sealed cans from the sealing units to the valve.

25. A can vacuumizing and sealing machine comprising in combination, a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings therein, a seamer arranged within the chamber, an annular valve ,rotatably fitted within the chamber to close the said openings and coaxially encircling the seamer;

said valve having can passages therethrough adapted to pass in registration with the chamber openings,

valve passages as they successively pass the receiving opening, a turret within the chamber for transferring the vacuumized cans from the valve to the seamer, means for guiding the sea ed cans from the seamer back into the valve passages, an extractor turret for removing the sealed cans from the passages through the discharge opening and means for driving the seamer, valve, conveyer and turrets in synchronism.

26. A machine as in claim-25, wherein the valve and can transferring parts have con-- a can conveyer, a turret" for feeding cans from the conveyer into the drive shaft, an annular valve en- 28. A can vacuumizing and sealing machine in combination, a vacuumizing chamber having can receiving and discharge openings therein, a seamer arranged within the chamber having a tubular drive shaft coaxially thereof, an annular, rotatably operable valve encircling the seamer and adapted to seal the chamber openings and arranged to deliver cans into and from the vacuumizing chamber, rotary means for feeding cans to the valve through the receiving opening, rotary means for delivering cans from the valve to the seamer, rotary means for delivering seamed cans from the valve to the discharge opening of the chamber and a drive shaft extending coaxially within the seamer shaft and having geared connections at one end for rotating the valve and the can delivery means and for operating the seamer drive shaft.

29. In combination, a rotaryconveyer having a pocket therein in which a can may be carried and an extractor device supported independent of the conveyer and synchronized in movement therewith and comprising a finger adapted to enter the pocket incident to the synchronized movement of the valve and extractor for withdrawing the can from the conveyer pocket.

30. In combination, a continuously rotating conveyer having pockets therein within which cans may be carried and a rotating extractor device supported independent of the conveyer but synchronized in movement therewith and comprising fingers adapted to swing through the-pockets of the conveyer. in the same direction of movement to extract the cans therefrom.

31. In combination, a moving conveyer having can receiving pockets therein formed with can deflecting surfaces and an extractor device movement in synchronism with the valve and comprising gers adapted to swing through the pockets to engage the cans to cause them to be extracted from the conveyer by advancing them along the can deflecting surfaces.

radially directed fin- 32. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machlne, a vacuumizlng chamber having an opening leading thereto for receiving a can to be sealed, a can sealing machine located within said chamber, a conveyer encircling the sealing mechanism and operable to convey the can from the opening to the sealing mechanism, means remote from the opening to said vacuum chamber fo'r removing the;

cans from the conveyer and delivering the same to the sealing mechanism whereby the cans arecarried indirectly in-their delivery to the sealer to provide for an extended interval of vacuumization.

I Signed at Seattle. Washington this 30th day of November 1927. g .NELSON TROYER.

' PAUL E. PEARSON. 

